Mink returning to Hershey

July 13, 2011

The Hershey Bears announced today that the club has signed right wing Graham Mink to an AHL contract for the 2011-12 season. The announcement was made today by Bears President/GM Doug Yingst.

Mink, 32, returns to Hershey for his third stint, having won Calder Cup titles during his only two seasons in a Chocolate and White sweater. He scored 21 goals in just 43 regular-season games in 2005-06 for the Bears, and followed that up with 21 points in 21 Calder Cup playoff games as Hershey won the championship. After two seasons away as the captain of the Worcester Sharks, Mink returned to Hershey in 2008-09 to score a career-high 32 goals, and again celebrated a championship as the Bears took the 2009 Calder Cup title. He scored seven goals and assisted on eight others for 15 points during the 2009 postseason.

“Graham Mink’s return to Hershey is a tremendous lift to the hockey club, both on and off the ice,” said Yingst. “This is a happy day for our team and our fans, and we welcome Graham and his family back to central Pennsylvania.”

Mink played in 70 games in 2010-11 for Peoria (AHL), scoring 24 goals and assisting on 26 others for 50 points in 70 games played. In 638 career regular-season games in the AHL with Portland, Hershey, Worcester, Rochester and Peoria, Mink has compiled 227 goals and 224 assists for 451 points.

“It means everything to me to be back, and I’m very excited to be a part of the Hershey family again,” Mink said. “I’ve had two very special seasons in Hershey, and I want to have a third. There’s no one that plays there that doesn’t expect success, and I’m glad to be a part of it again.”